The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1887-09-15
A Proper Arrangement
BY EUGENE DARKLEY.


"And is he young? Is he hand
some." Is he very much in love.
"He is neither young nor hand
some" said Kate. briefly, He is 60,
at least, although I must confess that
he is tole1ably we'll preserved. He is
Gen. Grenville. We are to be married
in February or March. Now, you
know all about it,"
kate, you will let me ask one ques.
ton more" coaxed Belle. Do you
love him?"
1T is likely?" retorted Kate, with q
shrug OF her shoulders.
Miss Haviland clasped her hands.
"Kate! Kate!" she cried. II see it
all. You are going to sell yourself
for rank and gold!"
Don't be goose" said Kate,
crimsoning to the roots OF her hair.
"One can't be a sentimentalist all
ones life."
Kate Marcy went home from the
theater matinee that afternoon, and
flung her gloves one way and her bou-
quet the other.
"My dear, what is the NATTER" said
Mrs. Marcy, a pale, pretty little widow.
"Mamma, l am so tired!" cried
Kate, letting herselfdr into chair,
utterly regardless of founces, SASH
draperies, and seal-skin sacque.
'"Tired of what, my darling?"
"Of everything!" said Kate. "Of
my engagement to that dreadful old
man most OF ALL"
Mrs. Marcy, with diplomatic
promptness, opened a blue velvet
case that lay on the table.
"See what he has sent you," said
She "Your favorite jewels sapphir.
es-all set around with diamonds.
Are they not beautiful, dear?"
Hates cheeks flushed; her eyes spark
led at the sight Of the gems.
"lf l could only have the pretty
things without having him!" said she.
Mrs. Marcy took Gen. Grenville into
confidence that evening, when he was
waiting for Kate.
"Ay dear General" said she-she
was about fifteen years younger than
her intended son-in-law-"thls matter
must be settled at once"
"What matter?" said the General,
blandly.
'The matter OF your marriage"
"Nothlng could make me happier"
said the gallant General IF Kate will
name the day"
ooh, that, OF course" said Mrs.
Marcy. Shall we say the tenth OF
next month";"
"With the greatest ofpleasure, said
Gen. Granville.
Mrs. Marcy hurried up stairs, os-
tensibly to expedite her daughters
toilet. actually to tell her that the
day was fixed.
"Oh, pshaw!" said Kate. "Why is
he in such q dreadful hurry?"
When they were driving along in the
clear December moonlight Kate bold
ly proposed plan which had been for
some time aeitating her mind.
"Gen. Grenville," said she, in her
sweetest voice.
'My Princess" said the old gentle
man.
"Do-do you object to skating?'
"Not in the least" said Gen. Gren-
vile. "Whoa Spider-gently, Beetle!
Really these horses are particularly
gay to-nigh t."
Because" said Kate, "Mr. Lever.
ington has invited me to 90 to the
rink next Tuesday evening, when"
But the sentence never was finished.
A full-loaded furniture van, emerg-
ing unexpectedly, like moving mount
ain from q side street, upset the
equanimity OF Spider and Beetle; they
gave n sudden plunge, and the next
moment Kate, the General, and the
eight heels OF Spider and Beetle were
mingled in one distinguishable mass.
The usual crowd assembled the pc.
lice rallied and presently it transpir-
ed that Miss Marcy was unhurt, that
the General, who had been flung
against lamp post, was unconscious,
that Beetle was only slightly hurt, and
that it would be necessary to shoot
Spider on the spot.
Poor Kate!
Her first thought oh, most ungrate-
full OF all Hates! was, "Well, this
settles the question. We can't
be married on the 10th OF Jan
uarv now. And if the poor dear
General should be fatally injured,
wonder if mamma would expect me
to wear Grape"
Gen. Granville, however, was not
fatally injured, as it happened. His
shoulder was dislOcated, his ankle
was broken, and he had received a
formidable-looking cut on the fore.
head; but superb constitution rem.
dered him able to laugh at these trifles
when the first shock was over.
"kate,' said Mrs. Marcy, "you
must 90 and nurse him."
Mamma, l shan't do anything OF
the Sort" said Kate. "He has got
his valet and an old maid sister,
hasn't he?"
But, Kate, neither of these can
take your place"
"Oh, mamma, how ridiculous you
are!" said Kate, pettishly. IF it's
necessary for any one to hold his head
and battle his temples with cologne,
you can do it,
Eyes, but. Kate" ventured Mrs.
Marcy, II can hardly think it right
that while your engaged husband is
lying at the point OF death, you should
be dining, dancing and skating with
Mr.. lIeverlngtOn.'
Nonsense, mammal" cried Kate.
He isn't anywhere near the point OF
death. He's as far from it as posi-
ble. And one must amuse ones SELF
Even a reprieved prisoner is allowed
to do that!'
About week afterward Mrs. Marcy
went to visit Gen. Grenville. In her
hand she carried a bunch of winter
violets, and in her heart she bore a
thousand-pound weight.
"Oh, how shall l tell him?" SAID
she, tragically.
"Eh?" said old Miss Granville, who
was very deaf. 'I'm so glad you
came. Gerald is so nervous and rest
less, there is no living with him. He
has been counting the minutes until
your arrival"
Gen. Granville rose courteously to
receive Mrs Marcy.